Boat Hull Washing Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a hand controlled cleaning apparatus used to clean away debris from a boat hull. The apparatus includes a brush at one end that is rotated by either an engine or an electric motor. The user controls the brush with an extended arm portion that may house a flexible shaft or conduits for power. The brush rotates in a direction that makes the apparatus more buoyant during use and gains better traction against the boat hull.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a hand-controlled device for cleaning a submerged boat hull from an adjacent dock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Biological fouling is a problem commonly encountered by marine vessels. In this regard, when left in the water, a boat hull will attract algae and other small organisms. The presence of these smaller organisms can attract larger organisms such as crustaceans.

Such marine organisms can damage the hull of a boat to which they are attached. Such organisms can also negatively affect the performance of a boat. In particular, the presence of such organisms increases the drag of the boat when moving in water. Likewise, the weight of attached marine organism, which can become significant overtime, can result in a decrease in a boat's speed and fuel efficiency.

Several means for removing marine organisms from a boat hull have been proposed. For example, large automatic cleaning assemblies have been proposed such as the assemblies disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,452 to Maloney et al and U.S. Pat. No. 7,363,871 to Hudd. Such assemblies are effective at cleaning large areas of a boat hull at once, but are expensive and lack portability.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,193 to van der Tak discloses a scrubbing machine to be used by diver for cleaning the hull of a ship. Employing divers, however, can be undesirable because it is expensive and time consuming.

Manual scrubbing devices can also be used, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,139 to Burgers, U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,173 to Strong, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,821 to Hodder. A single person standing on a dock beside a boat can use such devices. These devices are also relatively lightweight and portable. A significant drawback of these devices is that the operable must manually generate the force necessary to remove attached marine organisms, which can be quite tiring. As such, a lightweight and automatic cleaning apparatus is desirable.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0133999 discloses an underwater cleaning and scrubbing apparatus having a brush for cleaning a boat hull and a propeller for pushing the brush against a boat hull. A motor is used to drive the rotation of both the brush and the propeller. One downside of a device using a propeller is that such a device uses more energy than if a propeller were not present.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,642 (Mank 1992) shows a power scrub brush having a power head module, a brush head module, and a flexible shaft running between the two. The power head module includes a hydraulic motor driven by the force of cleaning fluid or water running through it to turn the brush. The Mank device requires constant connection to a pressurized source of cleaning fluid or water.

Accordingly, a need exists for portable and automatic device for cleaning boat hulls that does not consume excess energy. Moreover, a need exists for a device that is suitable for cleaning boat hulls of various shapes and sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment the apparatus includes an elongated arm portion (25) defining a distal end and a proximal end. The arm portion (25) includes a curved portion for permitting the distal end to reach the bottom of a boat hull. The arm portion (25) may further include a straighter portion positioned between the curved portion and the proximal end of the arm portion. One or more brushes (30) for cleaning a boat hull are positioned at the distal end of the arm portion (25). A motor (50) for driving the brushes (30) is likewise positioned at one end of the arm portion (25). A control device (10) for controlling the operation of the motor is positioned at the proximal end of the arm portion. A floatation device (65) is positioned near the distal end of the arm portion (25).

In another embodiment, an apparatus for cleaning a boat hull includes an elongated arm portion (25) defining a distal end and a proximal end. The arm portion (25) includes a curved portion for permitting the distal end to reach the bottom of a boat hull. One or more brushes (30) for cleaning a boat hull are positioned at the distal end of the arm portion (25). An engine (15) for driving the brushes (30) is positioned near the proximal end of the arm portion (25). A control device (10) for controlling the operation of the engine (15) is positioned at the proximal end of the arm portion. A floatation device (65) may be positioned near the distal end of the arm portion (25).

In a final embodiment, the apparatus may include a telescoping arm portion (70A-70D), particularly when an electric motor (50) drives the brush (30). The telescoping feature allows for the curvature of the arm to be adjusted according the shape of the boat hull being cleaned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a boat hull cleaning apparatus with an engine positioned at the proximal end and the cleaning brush positioned at the distal end.

FIG. 2 depicts a boat hull cleaning apparatus with an electric motor positioned at the proximal end and a flexible shaft extending to the brush at the distal end.

FIG. 3 depicts the boat hull cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2 from a side view showing the curvature of the arm portion.

FIG. 4 depicts a boat hull cleaning apparatus as used to clean a boat hull from an adjacent dock.

FIG. 5 shows a boat hull cleaning apparatus having a segmented arm portion that allows for telescoping the sections to adjust the length and curvature of the apparatus for cleaning variously sized boat hulls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present device embraces a boat hull cleaning apparatus (FIGS. 1-5) that allows the user to clean the hull of a boat while the hull is submerged under water. In other words, the apparatus allows for cleaning a docked boat without lifting the boat or moving the boat to a land-based cleaning area. Instead, the apparatus can be used from an adjacent dock by a user who controls the apparatus by hand. See FIG. 4. In a first embodiment, the apparatus includes a curved arm portion (25) defining a distal end and a proximal end of the apparatus. For purposes of this disclosure and without limiting the invention, the proximal end is the end closest to the user when the apparatus is cleaning a boat hull; the distal end is the end with brushes attached for engaging the boat. The user holds the proximal end and controls the apparatus with hand controls (10) at the proximal end. In this embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus includes at least one brush (30) positioned at the distal end of the arm portion (25). The brush connects generally perpendicularly to the curved arm portion (25). An engine (15), such as a standard gasoline engine, drives the brush (30). In one embodiment, the user starts the engine (30) with a pull cord and begins cleaning a boat hull. Typically, the engine (30) will be positioned at or near the proximal end of the arm portion (25).

One goal of the invention is to enable a user to manipulate a rotating brush (30) against a boat hull to clean the hull. The engine (15) on the arm portion (25), therefore, must drive the brush (30). Accordingly, the apparatus includes a shaft (20) connecting the engine (15) output to gears (40) controlling the brush (30). Placing the rotating brush (30) against the boat hull cleans the hull while the hull remains submerged.

The cleaning apparatus may include a curved arm portion (25) to fit the shape of the apparatus against the boat hull more directly and provide better contact between the boat hull and the rotating brush (30). By designing the curvature of the arm portion (25) of the apparatus to oppositely track the curvature or steepness of the boat hull, the apparatus is more efficient due to better access to the boat hull. To accommodate the curvature of the arm portion (25), the apparatus includes a flexible shaft (20) positioned within the curved arm portion (25) and connects the brush (30) to the engine (15).

One useful feature of the cleaning apparatus lies in its use of the brush (30) for buoyancy. The engine rotates the brush (30) in a direction that increases the buoyancy of the apparatus when the apparatus is submerged in water. Accordingly, the bristles on the brush (30) can be designed with a proper shape, width, and orientation to deflect water in a direction that propels the brush upward toward the boat hull. In one embodiment, the bristles on the brush (30) are flattened with an angled surface area that paddles within the water. With appropriately shaped bristles and a properly oriented direction of brush rotation, the apparatus tends to push the brush (30) upward when the user submerges the brush (30) into the water and starts the engine. This upward bias helps push the brush (30) against the boat hull, allowing improved brush contact with the surface of the hull. The user controls the position, depth, and angle of the brush (30) by providing a downward force opposite the upward bias. The cleaning apparatus includes hand controls (10) at the proximal end to allow the user to increase or decrease engine output and brush speeds. The hand controls, the brush design, and the rotation direction all allow the user to manage the amount of traction between the brush and the boat hull.

The buoyancy of the brush end, or distal end, of the cleaning apparatus is useful in controlling the degree to which the brush maintains contact with the boat hull. This buoyancy can be enhanced even further by maintaining a floatation device (65) near the brush (30) at the distal end of the cleaning apparatus.

The arm portion (25) of the cleaning apparatus runs from handles at the proximal end down to a connection point at the brush (or brushes) on the distal end of the apparatus. The arm portion (25) may be curved or straight, depending on the use at hand. Many boat hulls curve inwardly toward a central plane vertically dissecting the boat. To make the job of cleaning a boat hull more efficient, many users prefer a cleaning apparatus that has a curvature that suits cleaning a curved boat hull. In this regard, one embodiment of the apparatus incorporates a curved arm portion (25) (FIG. 3) that positions the brush (30) in a plane parallel to the plane of the handle portion on the apparatus. One object of the curved arm portion (25) is to allow a user to stand on a platform such as a dock adjacent the boat and submerge the distal end of the apparatus under water such that the curved arm portion (25) positions the brush (30) more directly adjacent the curved hull of the boat. In this way, the user can stand in a normal position, basically upright, and the curvature of the arm portion will place the brush in a good position under the boat for cleaning the boat hull, even if the hull is curved inwardly.

A different embodiment of the apparatus uses a motor (50), such as an electric motor, in place of an engine (15). In this embodiment, the motor (50) drives brush rotation. Again, the rotation of the brush (30) is useful to enhance upward buoyancy as noted in the above described embodiments. The motor (50), however, adds different functionality in some embodiments. First of all, the motor (50) may be connected to the apparatus at either the distal end or the proximal end. Water-tight housings allow for submersible motors. In fact, the water-tight housing may perform a double duty by providing additional floatation when the water-tight housing is filled with air. The air filled housing floats upwardly, adding even more buoyancy to the apparatus. Buoyant forces push the brushes against the boat hull for better traction and better cleaning.

The electric motor (50) requires a power source (80), and it may be connected to either an internal or external battery or other power supply. One enhancement that is possible with an electric motor (50) is that of a telescoping arm portion with segments (70A-70D) as shown in FIG. 5. For embodiments with the electric motor (50) positioned at the distal end of the apparatus, the electric motor (50) may connect to a power supply (80) at the proximal end via a coiled wire (75) that extends up the arm portion (70A-70D). This coiled wire (75) allows for the arm portion to be segmented, and if necessary, to be a telescoping arm portion. The coiled wire (75) is capable of expanding or stretching to accommodate various lengths of the arm portion. Accordingly, with an electric motor (50) and a coiled wire (80) for the power connection, the arm portion (25) may telescope along its length to different lengths. Even curved segments (70C, 70D) may be telescoped with a coiled wire (75) therein to connect the power source (80) to the electric motor (50). The telescoping feature provides an opportunity to adjust the curvature of the arm portion (25), allowing the user to adjust the curvature of the apparatus to suit the shape of the boat hull to be cleaned.

Overall, the brush (30) is rotated via a right angle dual shaft gear box (FIG. 1, 40) (FIG. 2, 58) connecting the brush (30) to either a flexible shaft (20) extending up the arm portion (25) to an engine (15) or to an electric motor (50) connected to the gear box (40, 58). The gears may be enclosed in a water-tight enclosure that is submersible in water (i.e., the gears may be Teflon or some other plastic that does not require extensive access for maintenance). The shape of the brush (30) may include a generally cylindrical embodiment with bristles along the outside of a longitudinal axis. The brush may be removable for replacement and may include more than one brush for different uses. The direction of rotation of the brush not only makes the device more buoyant, but also the direction of the brush rotation removes the debris away from the boat hull.

The foregoing, as well as other characteristics and advantages of the present invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further specified within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

In the specification and drawings, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and, although specific terms have been employed, they have been used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. An apparatus for cleaning a boat hull comprising: a curved arm portion defining a distal end and a proximal end of the apparatus; at least one brush positioned at the distal end of said arm portion, said brush connected generally perpendicularly to said curved arm portion; an engine for driving said brush, said engine positioned at the proximal end of said arm portion; a flexible shaft positioned within said curved arm portion and connecting said brush to said engine, wherein said engine rotates said brush in a direction that increases the buoyancy of the apparatus when the apparatus is submerged in water.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engine rotates said brush in a direction that opposes the force of gravity that pulls the apparatus below the surface of the water.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said engine rotates said brush in a direction that increases the traction of said brush against the boat hull and moves debris taken off the boat hull away from the boat.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a floatation device positioned near the distal end of said arm portion.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a right angle dual shaft gear box connecting said brush to said flexible shaft.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said gearbox comprises gears made of a synthetic material selected from the group consisting of Teflon and plastics.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said gear box comprises a buoyant, water-resistant housing.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said gear box is so dimensioned as to contain a sufficient amount of air to float the apparatus in water.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said arm portion has a curvature that is substantially opposite curvature of the boat hull, thereby allowing said brush to engage the boat hull.
 10. An apparatus for cleaning a boat hull comprising: an elongated arm portion defining a distal end and a proximal end; at least one brush for cleaning a boat hull, said brush positioned at the distal end of said arm portion in a position that is substantially perpendicular to said arm portion; a motor for rotating said brush; wherein said brush rotates in a direction that increases the buoyancy of the apparatus in water and pushes said brush against the boat hull.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said motor rotates said brush in a direction that opposes the force of gravity pulling the apparatus below the surface of water when the distal end is submerged for cleaning a boat hull.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said motor rotates said brush in a direction that increases the traction of said brush against the boat hull when the brush and the hull are under water.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a floatation device positioned near the distal end of said arm portion.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said electric motor is positioned at the proximal end of said arm portion.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said electric motor is positioned at the distal end of said arm portion.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said arm portion comprises telescoping sections for varying the length of said arm portion.
 17. An apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a control handle positioned at the proximal end of said arm portion, said control handle connected to said motor, wherein said control handle is connected to said motor by coiled wiring positioned within said arm portion.
 18. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said telescoping sections are curved.
 19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said arm portion has a substantially constant curvature.
 20. An apparatus for cleaning a boat hull comprising: an elongated arm portion defining a distal end and a proximal end, said arm portion comprising: one or more brushes for cleaning a boat hull, said one or more brushes being positioned at the distal end of said arm portion and rotating in a direction that increases the buoyancy of the apparatus and increases traction against the boat hull when the boat hull and the brushes are submerged under water; an engine for driving said brushes, said engine being positioned at the proximal end of said arm portion; a control device for controlling the operation of said engine and positioned at the proximal end of said arm portion; and a floatation device positioned near the distal end of said arm portion. 